Occupation · SOC 47-5051
Rock Splitters, Quarry
Separate blocks of rough dimension stone from quarry mass using jackhammers, wedges, or chop saws.
Median wage
$47,460
$37,240–$68,380
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
3,080
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
0 mapped
Core skills
Operation and ControlOperations MonitoringActive Listening
Knowledge areas
Production and ProcessingMechanicalMathematicsEducation and TrainingPublic Safety and Security
Technology & tools
Application server softwareComputer aided design CAD softwareWeb page creation and editing softwareFacilities management softwareSpreadsheet software
Representative tasks
Locate grain line patterns to determine how rocks will split when cut.Remove pieces of stone from larger masses, using jackhammers, wedges, and other tools.Insert wedges and feathers into holes, and drive wedges with sledgehammers to split stone sections from masses.Mark dimensions or outlines on stone prior to cutting, using rules and chalk lines.Cut slabs of stone into sheets that will be used for floors or counters.Set charges of explosives to split rock.Drill holes along outlines, using jackhammers.Drill holes into sides of stones broken from masses, insert dogs or attach slings, and direct removal of stones.Cut grooves along outlines, using chisels.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Grain line patterns in quarry stone — recognize basic orientations under direct supervisor guidance at an active quarry face.Hand tools including sledgehammers and wedges — handle and carry safely following established site protocols on a quarry work site.Stone dimensions and cut outlines — mark on rock surfaces using rules and chalk lines under close foreman direction.Wedges and feathers — insert into pre-drilled holes following step-by-step instruction from an experienced splitter.Jackhammer operation — perform basic startup and shutdown procedures under direct supervision in a quarry extraction setting.Personal protective equipment including hard hat, eye protection, and steel-toed boots — don and inspect daily before entering the quarry work zone.Verbal safety instructions from crew leads — listen and respond accurately to maintain safe positioning near active splitting operations.Rock fragments and debris — clear from work area using appropriate hand tools following cleanup protocols on the quarry floor.Basic stone splitting sequence — follow step-by-step checklist guidance when assisting with wedge-and-feather splits on small stone masses.Tool condition and obvious defects — identify and report to a supervisor before beginning quarry splitting tasks each shift.
developing
Grain line patterns in medium-sized stone blocks — locate and interpret independently to select appropriate splitting orientation on a routine quarry assignment.Wedges and sledgehammers — drive with controlled, repetitive force to split stone sections cleanly from larger rock masses with minimal rework.Chalk lines and measurement rules — apply accurately to mark multiple stone dimensions before cutting across a standard production run.Jackhammer and pneumatic tools — operate at sustained production pace while monitoring for irregular tool vibration or pressure loss during a shift.Feather-and-wedge sets — assemble and sequence correctly across a row of boreholes to achieve controlled, straight stone splits.Equipment performance during operation — monitor gauges and mechanical cues to detect early signs of malfunction and adjust before output is affected.Quarry safety protocols — apply consistently when working semi-independently near active blast zones and heavy equipment movement.Stone pieces of varying weight — remove from extraction sites using appropriate manual techniques and light mechanical assists to meet daily tonnage targets.Splitting tool selection — match wedge type and size to rock hardness and grain characteristics encountered across familiar quarry formations.Crew instructions and production briefings — interpret and act on with accuracy, adjusting work pace to meet shift output requirements.
proficient
Complex grain line patterns in large, irregularly shaped stone masses — analyze and use to determine optimal splitting strategy without supervisor input at a commercial quarry.Full splitting cycle using jackhammers, wedges, feathers, and sledgehammers — execute autonomously to separate precisely dimensioned stone sections from intact rock faces.Non-standard stone outlines and irregular cuts — mark and execute using adjusted measurement techniques when standard templates do not apply.Unexpected fracture risks and hidden fissures — identify by reading surface features and tapping patterns before committing to a splitting line.Tool wear and mechanical degradation across a full equipment set — assess systematically during operations and coordinate timely replacement to maintain production flow.Multi-hole wedge-and-feather layouts on large stone blocks — plan and drive in correct sequence to achieve clean splits with minimal material waste.Quarry safety hazards including unstable overburden and ricochet debris — evaluate and mitigate proactively across changing extraction conditions.Production output quality — inspect finished stone dimensions and split faces against specification tolerances before material leaves the extraction zone.Splitting techniques for variable rock types including granite, limestone, and sandstone — adapt method selection based on hardness, bedding, and moisture content.Newer crew members performing splitting tasks — observe, correct technique errors, and provide task-specific feedback during live quarry operations.
advanced
Site-wide splitting production standards and daily output targets — establish and communicate to full quarry crews to align extraction activity with operational goals.Grain analysis and splitting methodology for novel or difficult stone formations — develop and document as repeatable procedures for adoption across the quarry workforce.Crew skill gaps and individual development needs — assess through direct observation and structured review, assigning targeted on-the-job training to accelerate competency growth.Quarry safety and extraction protocols — revise and update based on incident data, equipment changes, and regulatory requirements to maintain site-wide compliance.Stone yield efficiency across extraction zones — analyze production records and tool usage patterns to identify and implement process improvements that reduce material waste.Cross-functional coordination between drilling, blasting, and splitting crews — lead to ensure proper sequencing and reduce downtime across the full extraction cycle.New equipment and tool systems for splitting operations — evaluate against production requirements and recommend adoption or rejection with supporting operational rationale.Apprentice and entry-level rock splitters — design onboarding sequences that build foundational grain-reading, marking, and tool-driving skills within the first weeks of employment.Production scheduling and resource allocation for quarry splitting operations — oversee to meet contracted stone delivery timelines while controlling labor and equipment costs.Organizational knowledge of quarry splitting craft including historical techniques and emerging methods — preserve and transfer systematically to sustain institutional capability over time.
Also known as
17 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
RockmanRock BreakerSplitter OperatorBlaster (Navy B07A)Stone BreakerEquipment Operator (Navy EO)DrillerQuarry DrillerRock SplitterSandstone SplitterQuarrying SpecialistQuarry Chop Saw OperatorRock PickerQuarry WorkerQuarry Plug and Feather DrillerStone SplitterQuarry Plug-and-Feather Driller